I’ve Tested Tons of Single-Serve Coffee Makers, and This One Brews the Best Cup Every Time

Oct 27, 2024

I’ve tested a ton of single-serve coffee brewers at The Kitchn over the past few years. Not only because I’m a former barista and a huge coffee nerd, but also because thoroughly testing products is crucial to be able to provide high-quality reviews of the products that you, dear reader, might choose to put in your kitchen. While drip coffee makers and espresso machines are all well and good, for single-person households — or particularly small spaces — you can’t go wrong with a single-serve drip machine. My personal favorite, out of all the ones that I’ve tested, is the Hario Switch V60 Immersion Dripper. It’s easy to use, it looks great on a shelf or in a cabinet, it works as both an immersion brewer and a pour-over, and it makes the perfect cup every time.

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The Hario Switch V60 Immersion Dripper is essentially the classic pour-over you might already be familiar with — but with one big catch: The metal stopper at the bottom. Now, I know this might not sound like a huge deal, but what it does is turn the standard V60 into a hybrid immersion brewer and pour over. That means you get all of the benefits of pour-over (quick, flavorful, drip-style coffee) with all of the benefits of a French press (high extraction, full body). Just pop one of the included filters into the pour-over, give it a quick rinse, then add hot water and ground coffee into the V60, and wait about two minutes. Once the coffee has steeped, use the switch to activate the stainless steel ball valve, which allows coffee to flow through the filter directly into your mug. It’s that easy: There’s no blooming, no monitoring your flow rate, no worrying about accuracy when pouring — in fact, you don’t even really need to use a gooseneck kettle. (PS: Check out this video we made of the Switch in action!)

The main draw of the Hario Switch V60 Immersion Dripper for me is the ease of use — you don’t have to stand over it and baby it for five minutes in the morning like a regular pour-over. Plus, the coffee tastes great, as there’s no grit and you get great extraction. It’s also easy to clean and super compact, which is perfect for small-space living. Not only that, but you can also just leave the switch down and use it as a traditional pour-over if you want, which makes it a two-in-one gadget. I’m not the only fan, either. With over 1,000 five-star reviews, it’s a favorite among Amazon shoppers. “When it comes to specialty coffee, I urge everyone to purchase the Hario Switch, as it truly is an all-in-one manual coffee brewer,” one reviewer writes. “You can simply do a pour & steep for a rich, balanced cup with minimal effort; or you can open the Switch and make a traditional pour over.”

So if you’re in the market for an upgrade to your morning routine, or you’re just looking for a great coffee maker that fits your small space, I can’t recommend the Hario Switch V60 Immersion Dripper enough. It’s got the user-friendly design of a pour-over with the functionality of a French press — just without the grit. Plus, it’s on sale right now! Buy: Hario Switch V60 Immersion Dripper, $32.25 (normally $48.50)This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: I’ve Tested Tons of Single-Serve Coffee Makers, and This One Brews the Best Cup Every Time

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